Prof. Simeon Isezuo, President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society, attributes the rising cases of hypertension in Nigeria to changes in diet and reduced exercise among citizens.
He noted that one in every three adults and one in two individuals aged 60 and older in Nigeria are affected by hypertension.
According to NAIJATRAFFIC, the professor pointed out that while the rising cost of medications poses a threat to hypertensive patients, making it difficult for them to afford their treatments and leading to additional complications, the increase in food prices themselves does not directly cause hypertension.
Earlier reports from NAIJATRAFFIC indicated that Lagos State’s Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, had lamented the growing incidence of hypertension during the recent 24th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the NHS held in Lagos.
During the conference, which focused on “Managing Hypertension in a Depressed Economy” and included a subtheme on “Hypertension in Children,” Abayomi described the trend as concerning, pointing out its implications for morbidity, mortality, and economic burden on the population.
He expressed alarm over the statistic indicating that 30 percent of Nigerian adults have hypertension, attributing this prevalence to lifestyle changes.
The World Health Organization defines hypertension, or high blood pressure, as a condition when blood pressure readings are at or above 140/90 mmHg using a sphygmomanometer.
The WHO further reports that while hypertension is widespread, about 46 percent of adults with the condition are unaware they have it.
The organization estimates that approximately 1.28 billion adults aged 30 to 79 worldwide suffer from hypertension, most of whom live in low- and middle-income countries.
Factors such as aging, genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, high salt intake, and excessive alcohol consumption are noted to elevate the risk of high blood pressure.
In further discussions, the NHS president emphasized the increasing challenge of hypertension in Nigeria, stating that one in three adults suffers from this condition.
He pointed out that although genetic factors play a primary role in hypertension, lifestyle changes—especially higher salt consumption—are also significant contributors.
“What is primarily responsible for hypertension is in the genes, the building blocks of every human being, and this we cannot change and has not changed. What has changed is the second component, our lifestyle, and prominent among this is increased salt intake. Salt is an important factor in the development of hypertension in Africans. There are many factors accounting for increased salt intake. One, we have moved away from traditional African food to Western food that is rich in salt.
“The second factor that has led to increased salt intake, is that people eat more outside than at home, and most people that cook outside are likely to put one form of salt or the other to make the food tasty. Lastly, we are taking more foods preserved with salt,” the NHS president said.
Isezuo stated that the increase in sedentary lifestyles, leading to reduced physical activity, weight gain and obesity has further contributed to the rise of hypertension burden in Nigeria.
The don noted, “Decreased physical activity or what we call sedentary lifestyle has increased and added to this is increased consumption of western diet that is rich in salt, sugar and fat. The consequence of this is an increase in weight and ultimately obesity.
“Obesity is an important driving factor for the rising prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria. The major drivers are thus increased salt intake, sedentary lifestyle, decreased physical activity and obesity.”
Professor Simeon Isezuo, President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society, emphasized that certain factors significantly increase the risk of developing hypertension.
These include aging, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and urbanization. Alarmingly, half of Nigerians over the age of 60 suffer from hypertension.
While increased awareness and access to healthcare have led to more recorded cases, the rising cost of medication has made treatment challenging for many. Isezuo clarified that food costs do not directly contribute to hypertension, but high drug costs can worsen the condition.
He also debunked the myth that stress is a primary cause of hypertension, but warned that prolonged stress can exacerbate existing conditions. Notably, hypertension affects both men and women equally, and is increasingly affecting children and adolescents due to rising obesity rates.
To combat this, Isezuo advocates for promoting traditional African plant-based diets, which are low in salt, sugar, and fats, to reduce the burden of hypertension.
Continuing, the don noted, “Hypertension is almost equally distributed in both men and women with no significant gender difference. Hypertension also does occur though to a far less extent in children and adolescents.”
Professor Isezuo observed that the growing prevalence of obesity, among other factors, is contributing to an increasing burden of hypertension in children and adolescents.
To mitigate this trend, he suggests promoting traditional African cuisine, which is predominantly plant-based and low in salt, sugar, and fats, as a strategy to reduce the burden of hypertension.
“If you must take a Western diet, avoid food that contains excess salt. We should also avoid putting additional salt on already-cooked food.
“Of course, another solution is to increase our physical activity. We advocate brisk walks for 30 minutes every day. We should get to do things physically by ourselves as long as we have the strength, rather than leaving them to house help,” he said.
The President of the Nigerian Hypertension Society (NHS) offered words of encouragement to those with hypertension, assuring them that the condition can be effectively managed through consistent medication, lifestyle changes, and regular blood pressure monitoring.
He emphasized the NHS’s collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to create a Nigeria where hypertension is no longer a silent killer, and individuals with the condition can lead normal lives with controlled blood pressure.
